Host Nathan Ward continues his deep dive with legendary herpetologist Romulus Whitaker in this captivating second installment of Cold-Blooded Conversations. This episode spotlights the gharial, one of the world's most unique crocodilians, and Whitaker's decades-long mission to save the species from the brink of extinction. From the groundbreaking conservation efforts of Project Crocodile to the founding of the Madras Crocodile Bank, Whitaker shares firsthand insights into the challenges and triumphs of reptile conservation.

We also discuss new species discoveries, the surprising intelligence of Komodo dragons, and the ongoing battle against snakebite fatalities. Plus, hear about the upcoming volumes of Snakes, Drugs, and Rock & Roll and how you can contribute to reptile conservation.

🔗 Purchase Snakes, Drugs, and Rock and Roll here: https://a.co/d/4bFvnx9

In this thrilling episode of Cold-Blooded Conversations, we welcome a true legend in herpetology—Romulus Whitaker. Known for his groundbreaking work with king cobras, gharials, and venomous snakes, Rom takes us on a wild journey, from his early fascination with reptiles to his daring fieldwork and close encounters with some of the world’s deadliest snakes.

We dive deep into his autobiography Snakes, Drugs, and Rock & Roll, his near-fatal rattlesnake bite, and the fascinating behaviors of king cobras, including their eerie growls and exceptional intelligence. Plus, we discuss conservation efforts, India's strict snake protection laws, and the future of anti-venom research.

Don’t miss this conversation with one of the greatest herpetologists ever! Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore crocodiles, gharials, and more conservation work.

📖 Pick up Rom’s book here: https://a.co/d/ePsTYnB

In this episode of Cold-Blooded Conversations, host Nathan Ward sits down with Joe Pittman, trauma nurse and founder of the Florida Snakebite Institute, to discuss the intersection of emergency medicine and venomous reptiles. Joe shares his journey from military corpsman to snakebite expert, recounting some of the most severe envenomations he’s treated, including cobra bites and spitting cobra venom exposures. They dive into the effectiveness of CroFab on African species, the challenges of securing exotic anti-venom, and the importance of proper snakebite treatment protocols. Whether you’re a reptile enthusiast, medical professional, or just fascinated by the world of venomous creatures, this episode is packed with invaluable insights.

Spitting cobra article: https://www.jenonline.org/article/S0099-1767(18)30496-3/abstract

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Email: joevenom0220@juno.com